Waitākere Ranges Local Board I Te Poari ā-Rohe o Te Ika Whenua o Waitākere

Titirangi Beach, Wood Bay Beach, French Bay

Please fix our broken networks! We know that Auckland has huge and widespread issues, but please help make sure that the networks affecting our local beaches are prioritised for repair. Our fear is that resources will go into the more glamorous beaches on the North Shore and East of Auckland. But a huge amount of people (not just locals) used Titirangi Beach before the health warning went on it in 2016.

Re-opening of tracks in South Titirangi

Ensure that tracks in South Titirangi are prioritised and fast-tracked on a walking/running route. We deeply miss our connection with nature. We are living in a beautiful place, but we can only look at it. Our beaches are polluted and we can't swim in them. I am worried that tracks will be too difficult to reopen and that there will be longer delays. Please ensure this is prioritised.

Volunteering in a new "normal" needs support

COVID-19 has changed the volunteering landscape. The likely scenario for NGOs reliant on volunteers will be a short fall of people unable to volunteer as in pre-COVID days. With seniors [over 65yrs] being the back bone of many of our volunteer activities in the community now unable [unwilling through health fears?] to undertake their usual roles, this will leave a big gap in the ability of NGOs to deliver services at pre-COVID levels. An increasing number of people will also be subsisting on a much reduced income will be accessing community services in larger numbers and the community groups stepping up to support them will need additional people to support the delivery of those needs – these are generally volunteers. The increasing numbers of unemployed people will also be looking to contribute, retrain and wanting to ensure their own good mental health will need support in sourcing community voluntary activities that will best meet their needs. We need to support our community organisations to relook at their volunteer involving programmes and practices, how they recruit, support, identify and allocate voluntary tasks, ensuring the health and wellbeing of both the recipients and the volunteers. Volunteering Auckland is well placed to support the volunteering needs of both the person looking to contribute and those community groups needing support in their volunteer engagement processes and practices. Our database can also track referrals to needs by suburb and by local board. We are able to operate regionally and virtually. Volunteering will increasingly become a way to ensure a resilient community.

Prioritise reopening of walking tracks in Waitakeres

Review data available on kauri dieback by a truely independent scientist. Open tracks where there are no kauri. Or look at opening a section of the park and keeping a section closed.

Commit to sorting out the water treatment plants and improving the water quality of our beaches. Make a difference that will be remembered.